Skip to content There is a clear distinction between Jesus and religion, though many see them as synonymous. Interestingly, there are numerous people who love and admire Jesus but do not identify as Christians. I have atheist friends who think very highly of Jesus. So, what gives? Why is Jesus beloved while the religion associated with Him is often despised? The answer lies in the sharp distinction between Jesus and religion, which, unfortunately, do not always overlap. So, what exactly is the difference between Jesus and religion? Let’s explore.
What is Religion
Religion is a set of organized beliefs institutionalized and agreed upon by its followers, typically involving a way of life, rituals, and practices. With this in mind, there are, of course, many religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc.
When people express disdain for Christianity as a religion, they may have valid reasons. Often, what they are rejecting is the institution itself. This institution may have, at times, represented self-righteousness, behavior modification, or even forms of abuse. Thus, there are many reasons why someone might not be a fan of the religious institution of Christianity.
check out this article: “I Hate Christianity,” says the World. How to Address this
The Person Jesus
Jesus, on the other hand, is a person. From His teachings, life, and claims, a religion has emerged centered around Him. However, Jesus Himself is not a religion. In fact, it can be argued that Jesus was critical of religious formalism. He often rebuked religious leaders for their hypocrisy and legalism.
Jesus calls us to follow Him, not a religion. He invites us to be part of a relationship with Him, not merely to adhere to a set of religious practices. So, can you be a follower of Jesus Christ and not identify strictly as a Christian? Technically, yes. This may seem like a matter of semantics, but you can genuinely follow Jesus, be accepted into His fold, be saved by His grace, and believe in the living God within you, without labeling yourself as a follower of a religion.
Jesus and Religion- The Main Difference
Jesus warns us about the pitfalls of religious attitudes, particularly as practiced by the religious leaders of His time. He emphasized that such religion is characterized by adhering to rules to attain a particular status with God. For example, religion posits that if one follows the Ten Commandments and behaves well, God will accept them. This notion of religion is what Jesus rejected.
This is exemplified in the story of the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he must do to gain eternal life. Jesus asked if he had kept all the commandments, to which the man affirmed he had. Then Jesus told him to sell everything he owned and give to the poor. The man could not do this, revealing that despite his religious observance, he was not able to fulfill what God truly wanted. Jesus exposed that the man, though religious, was not perfect and could not achieve righteousness through his own efforts. (from Mark 10: 17-27
Jesus also clarified the true meaning of God’s law. It’s not just the act of murder that makes one a sinner, but the hatred in one’s heart. It’s not just the act of adultery that condemns, but even having lustful thoughts. Jesus showed that sin resides in the heart, and simply following religious rules does not transform the heart, which is what God desires.
The distinction lies in the nature of religion versus a relationship with God. Religion, as a set of rules, inevitably condemns because no one can perfectly adhere to God’s standards. Religious people might claim that being good and looking righteous is the end goal, but Jesus contradicts this. He teaches that the heart must be renewed, which only happens through a personal relationship with God.
This is why Jesus died for us: so we can have that relationship with God. It’s not about following rules or doing specific deeds to be a follower of Jesus. True righteousness comes not from our works or our ability to follow rules, but from being reconciled to God through Jesus. It’s about accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, which grants us a perfect standing with God.
